Quantitave coloyr Reaction for Thalidomide Via its Hydrolysis Products by spectrophotometric Absorption Technique

Thalidomide, which has earned a dubious fame after the Conter-gan-tragedy, is occurently being tested with partial success against various skin diseases. Already in the raid sixties, this substance was used in the treatment of scurf. Meanwhile, its effectiveness against leprosy seems to be established. It also seems to be effective against chronic skin tuberculosis and pruritis. How thalidomide works in each of these different cases is not yet clear. Women who have conceived or are preg¬nant should never be treated with thalidomide. Thus the chapter on thalidomide has not come to an end.Thalidomide was first synthesized in Germany in 1956 by King et al. also described its main pharmacological proper¬ties. It was found to be a nontoxic sedative hypnotic drug with quietening effect upon the central nervous system, redu¬cing the voluntary activity of laboratory animals and promo¬ting sleep. Its ability to promote sleep in man was shown in 1965 by Jung and in 1960 there was apparently convincing evidence of its nontoxicity. However, late in 1960, the first reports of a toxic effect due to thalidomide began to appear. These were cases of peripheral neuritis following regular medication with the drug.